2 weeks Ago By Murray Wenzel
Alex Leapai Jnr will return to the ring this month on "another level" after his savage last-fight knockout backed up the hype around the teenage heavyweight prospect. The 18-year-old (3-0) stole the show in Auckland in September when his three-punch combination launched bloodied opponent Manusiu Fe'ao through the ropes for a jaw-dropping second round stoppage. The son of former heavyweight world title contender Alex Leapai Snr will next fight Hector Tapueluelu (1-4-1) at Panthers League's Club on November 20.
"He's gone to another level now, sparring world-rated guys like Justis Huni and Demsey McKean and holding his own," trainer Noel Thornberry, who mentored Leapai Snr, told AAP. Thornberry hopes to secure at least eight fights a year of no more than six rounds each for his charge, who opted out of an NRL deal with Gold Coast to instead chase a heavyweight boxing world title. "I want to get him to 20-0 as quickly as possible," Thornberry said of the hulking talent.
"Getting him active, improving technically in the gym sparring with (Olympic medallist) David Nyika ...
he'll fight for a heavyweight championship one day." The Penrith card will be headlined by former amateur rivals Paulo Aokuso and Clay Waterman, who will fight for the WBC Australasian light heavyweight title. And former UFC star Tyson Pedro will make his professional boxing debut after recovering from a fractured elbow, up against Australian heavyweight champion Kris Terzievski (12-1-2).
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